Sauber’s start to the season hasn’t been stellar, and interestingly, there were rumors about a possible change in their driver lineup, with suggestions that Valtteri Bottas was expected to leave by the end of 2023.
As the team looks towards its transformation into Audi in 2026, with Andreas Seidl at the helm, there’s anticipation about new driver pairings and strategies.
Christian Menath, a journalist on the Motorsport-Magazin YouTube channel, highlighted the potential shifts within the Swiss team, suggesting dissatisfaction with the current drivers.
Despite not having scored any points this season, the dynamics within Sauber, soon to be rebranded as the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, suggest a challenging path ahead.
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The competitive gap has widened, leaving teams like Sauber struggling to break into the top ten.
A significant moment came during the Saudi Arabian GP, where an accident involving Lance Stroll opened up opportunities for the teams yet to score.
Haas capitalized on this, earning Nico Hulkenberg a point and showcasing a strategic play that caught Sauber’s interest.
Seidl, an admirer of Hulkenberg, considered him for Zhou’s replacement, signaling potential lineup changes.
Menath explained, “Sauber is not 100% satisfied with the two drivers.
“Valtteri Bottas was signed by Fred Vasseur three years ago, not Andreas Seidl who probably would have liked to have got rid of him a year earlier, so I’m pretty sure that there are two cockpits to fill.”
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The implication is that Sauber’s ambitions, especially with its future Audi partnership, might lean towards a team without the need for a pay driver, marking a significant shift in their approach.
Bottas’s situation remains speculative. Williams, his former team, had delayed confirming their driver lineup, hinting at a possible opening for Bottas had he been available.
Now, Bottas faces the challenge of proving his worth to Sauber in the remaining races to secure his position for the next season, amidst the possibility of seeking new opportunities or focusing on other interests should he need to move on.